Distributor leaking oil

J

Jay in Mass

Senior Member
A friend of mine is leaking a lot of oil out or his distributor. It is a 40 Ford with rebuilt original 59 type engine. He stated that the oil is coming out of the hole on the bottom of the stock distributor.
I will call him and pass on any suggestions that I get. Thanks
 
Sludge build-up preventing proper oil drainback from the tappet chamber or plugging the crankcase vent? Worn rings causing excess blow-by which pressurizes the crankcase and forces oil out?
 
My distributor is leaking a small amount as well . I have a Lincoln V12 and has the same small brass tube at the rear of the distributor. Oil needs to lubricate the rear bushing of the distributor I am not sure how much oil should be leaking out. Has anyone have a remedy for this.

Frenchy
 
It could be a nunber of issues.....

1= Two much crankcase pressure in the new engine for some reason , pusing the oil out thru the bushing into the distributor head.

2= Worn bushing in the distributor allowing oil to seep thru the bushing into the distributor.

3= Distributor wicking oil thru the screw in the shaft. Ford uses a wick allowing a small amount of oil to drip into the unit lubing the end bushing. Depending on which distributor he is using???
 
The crank case is vented so it wouldn't have any pressure. The oil is only spash and gravity feed in that area. Either the bushing is very worn or the oil is to thin. Try 20/50 weight oil. G.M.
 
Gotta know what distributor and hole...your postwar engine could be wearing either the postwar distributor or the '40.
Whichever it is, though, it shouldn't be leaking oil!
 
If you take off the distributor, you will find a small hole in the timing gear cover below the cam ... no?
 
How old / new is the rebuild? did someone leave "the plug" out AGAIN.?? What is the oil pressure ?? at any speed. Is the oil filter return line made to the front cover? after market install. .. Is there a large amount of blow-by ? " or any " ?? OLD...BILL
 
Well ... if my distributor were leaking oil, I'd want to know what that little hole was for. I've never had the problem, but that hole has something to do with it, I bet.

By the way, that hole in the bottom of the stock distributor (helmet style, Bruce) that is commonly referred to as a "drain hole" had another purpose according to Ford. It's interesting to know what that was.
 
Hoop said:
Well ... if my distributor were leaking oil, I'd want to know what that little hole was for. I've never had the problem, but that hole has something to do with it, I bet.

By the way, that hole in the bottom of the stock distributor (helmet style, Bruce) that is commonly referred to as a "drain hole" had another purpose according to Ford. It's interesting to know what that was.
Click to expand...


Could be a distributor vent. Spark will jump easier in a vacuum. Would prevent any negative pressure .
 
As someone mentioned there is a small hole on the timing cover at the bottom you need to make sure it is not plugged up. By the way I took care of my problem it was the gasket leaking a bit.

Frenchy
 
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